TITLE 83: PUBLIC UTILITIES
CHAPTER I: ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSIONSUBCHAPTER b: PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO MORE THAN ONE KIND OF UTILITY
PART 280
PROCEDURES FOR GAS, ELECTRIC, WATER AND SANITARY SEWER UTILITIES GOVERNING ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICE, DEPOSITS, BILLING, PAYMENTS, REFUNDS AND DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE
SECTION 280.200 TAMPERING

Section
280.200 Tampering

a) Intent:
Tampering with utility wires, pipes, meters or other service equipment is
prohibited. The intent of this Section is to describe the process by which the
utility shall bill the customer for the unauthorized usage when the utility has
proof that the customer benefitted from tampering.

b) Proof:
The utility has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that
tampering has occurred with the utility's wires, pipes, meters or other service
equipment, that the customer has benefitted from the tampering, and that the
utility's billing is reasonable.

c) Investigation:
When the utility has reason to suspect that tampering has occurred, it shall
investigate without delay.

d) Notice
to Customer: Once the utility has full proof of the tampering, it shall report
to the customer the details of the investigation.

e) Remedy:
As soon as the condition becomes known to the utility, it shall take steps to
correct the condition and issue a corrected bill without delay. Pursuant to any
tariffed meter tampering charge, before assessing the charge, the utility shall
review the situation to determine if the person benefitting from the tampering
was responsible either directly or indirectly for the tampering.

f) Timing:
If tampering evidence extends to previous customers of record, the current
customer shall not have to pay for the portions of the unauthorized usage that
are attributable to the previous customers.

g) Record
Keeping: The utility shall document and record the evidence that proves the
tampering, and it shall save the full evidence proving the tampering for a minimum
of three years from the date that the customer is issued a corrected bill for
the tampering.